Category: Uncategorized

Nothing says the holidays quite like a decorated fir tree. People have been doing it for thousands of years to celebrate winter festivals, Pagans, Christians, even the Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia.

Because the winter solstice is the darkest time of the year, Dec. 21-22, people used evergreen boughs and trees as a reminder of the sun and the spring to come. In the 16th Century, devout German Christians brought decorated trees into their homes and are credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition, as we know it today.

We’ve come a long way from our pagan roots, to the point where the Christmas tree has become a ubiquitous symbol throughout the world. People of many faiths have adopted the tradition, from the original pious Germans to the Japanese to the Americas and even to the Sahara desert.

Today approximately 300 million Christmas trees are grown on tree farms around the world as part of a $2 billion dollar industry. Now, that’s spreading holiday cheer!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
How loyal are your leaves/needles.
You’re green not only
in the summertime,
No, also in winter when it snows.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How loyal are your leaves/needles.

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From all of us at Allcare Maintenance Services Inc., we wish you a joyous holiday season and a Fresh New Year!

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) refers to the ill health that results from spending long periods of time in tightly sealed, poorly ventilated buildings. Starting in the 1970s, in an effort to become energy-efficient, new buildings were designed to be more airtight, resulting in decreased ventilation and increased exposure to indoor chemical pollutants.

This, in turn, began causing health problems for people working and living in those buildings and the term Sick Building Syndrome was coined. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 1984 that up to 30% of new buildings might cause serious illness and many of these buildings are still causing health problems today.

Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome

People generally report one or more common symptoms related to Sick Building Syndrome, such as:

dizziness

throat irritation

headache

itchy and watery eyes

blurred vision

difficulty concentrating

nausea

shortness of breath

dry, itchy skin

sinus congestion

fatigue

sneezing and coughing

Unfortunately, many of these symptoms may also be caused by other health issues such as the common cold or flu, making it difficult to diagnose Sick Building Syndrome as the cause and is often dismissed as simply catching a “bug.” But if your colleagues are experiencing similar issues then it’s a good idea to look into the problem. One clue to a diagnosis is if the symptoms occur when spending time in a specific building and subside upon leaving the building.

Identifying the Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

Buildings contain many different materials and furnishings, some of which can cause adverse effects to the occupants’ health. Common contaminants responsible for Sick Building Syndrome include:

cigarette smoke

dust mites

formaldehyde

synthetic insulation

synthetic furniture fibres

synthetic carpet off-gassing

pet dander

paint fumes

natural gas

mold and mildew

ozone

toxic cleaning agents

carbon monoxide

Finding the sources of SBS can be difficult as they vary greatly from building to building.

How to Fix the Problem

Since the ‘70s and ‘80s, awareness has spread about this health threat and solutions have been developed to address the problem.

The first step is to thoroughly investigate the air ventilation system and make sure it’s working properly. Check the filtration systems, change the filters regularly and establish that there’s proper air distribution.

Avoid toxic deodorizers and cleaning products, and ensure that some of the windows can be opened for ventilation when required. Many common household plants absorb toxins from the air. Sometimes it’s just that simple. But if the problem persists, consider getting help from a qualified air quality professional.